Texas EbonyPithecellobium flexicaule

While it only grows in select portions of the country, the Texas ebony makes a great street tree or shade tree. It keeps its leaves year-round, produces fragrant blooms each spring, is drought-tolerant once established and can grow in compacted soil.

Hardiness Zones

The texas ebony can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 9–11. View Map

Tree Type

This is an evergreen tree, keeping its foliage year-round.

Mature Size

The Texas ebony grows to a height of 35–80' and a spread of 20–30' at maturity.

Growth Rate

This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12" to 24" per year.

Sun Preference

Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least 6 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.

Soil Preference

The Texas ebony grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. While it needs care and watering when young, this tree can survive the driest conditions once established.

Attributes

This tree:

Works well as a street tree or shade tree.

Can grow in small spaces.

Tolerates wind and compacted soil.

Produces fragrant creamy white and yellow flowers in late spring and intermittently throughout the summer.

Features dark green leaves that are bipinnately divided, with oval leaflets.

Yields 4–6" long seed pods that are brown or black.

Grows in a rounded shape.

Wildlife Value

Growing in open areas of the warm South, the Texas ebony provides valuable shelter for mammals and birds. Birds eat the fruit and seeds.

History/Lore

The seeds have been dried and made into jewelry, and the shells have been used as an alternative to coffee.